Utility container

ABSTRACT

A UTILITY CONTAINER INCLUDES A PLURALITY OF COMPARTMENTS FOR CONTAINING LIQUID AGENTS, SUCH AS WASH AND RINSE SOLUTIONS. ONE OR MORE OF THE COMPARTMENTS IS PROVIDED WITH A FORAMINATE PLATFORM WHICH MAY BE RAISED OR LOWERED WITH RESPECT OT LIQUID CONTAINED IN THE RELATED COMPARTMENT FOR THE USE IN SQUEEZING OR PRESSING A SPONGELIKE APPLICATOR, OR TOOL.

Oct. 26, 1971 SEUFERT ET AL 3,614,802

UTILITY CONTAINER Filed April 10. 1969 INVENTORS GEORGE E SEUFERT JANET H. SEUFERT BY V United States Patent ()1 Eco 3,614,802 Patented Oct. 26, T9711 3,614,802 UTILITY CONTAINER George E. Seufert and Janet H. Seufert, both of 140 S. Depew, Lakewood, Colo. 80215 Filed Apr. 10, 1969, Ser. No. 815,031 Int. Cl. A471 13/14, 13/58 U.S. Cl. 15-260 3 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A utility container includes a plurality of compartments for containing liquid agents, such as wash and rinse solutions. One or more of the compartments is provided with a foraminate platform which may be raised or lowered with respect to liquid contained in the related compartment for use in squeezing or pressing a spongelike applicator, or tool.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION The principal object of the present invention is to provide a utility container for use with various sizes of scrub brushes, sponge mops, wax Spreaders, paint applicators and the like, and which enables the user to accomplish the desired task faster and more efliciently.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved utility container of the foregoing character which may contain more than one liquid material without intermingling the various materials, and which facilitates the use of an applicator tool for such materials.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a utility container of the above type which enables the user to rapidly and efiiciently utilize a scrub brush, sponge mop, wax spreader, paint applicator or the like.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a utility container having the foregoing characteristics which is simple yet rugged in construction, and can be utilized rapidly by a user while the user is standing erect.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The single figure of the drawing is a perspective view of a utility container embodying the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The utility container embodying the present invention comprises a multi-compartment container with a sievelike or foraminate platform or grating positioned in one or more of the compartments. The container is adapted for use with a sponge mop or like applicator or tool. The foraminate platform is raised and lowered with respect to liquid material in the container by a foot-operated linkage mechanism. By pressing the applicator against the raised foraminate platform, liquid within the applicator is squeezed out. When the platform or a portion thereof is lowered to a position below the surface of the liquid, the applicator can be flushed or rinsed in the liquid by vigorously pressing the same against the platform. The applicator can also be squeezed between the platform and applicator engaging fingers to squeeze liquid from the applicator. One or more remaining compartments can be provided for containing another solution, such as a Wash liquid, soap liquid, or other liquid material.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawing, there is shown a utility container 30 formed of suitable material such as metal or plastic. The size of the container will depend upon the size of the applicator to be used therewith. While an applicator has not been shown for use with the container, it will be appreciated that any appropriate applicator, such as a roller, sponge mop or like implement may be utilized.

The arrangement of the container described herein is such that the device is suitable for many different uses. The container is particularly suited for use with floor scrubbing and rinsing materials. Other liquids such as glass cleaners, floor wax, tile cleaners, paints, coating materials, and so forth can be placed in the various compartments. Furthermore, throw-away aluminum or plastic liners can be supplied for the container, making it possible to use the container in conjunction with appropriate applicator work heads for a wide variety of uses including oils, shellac, paint, varnish and the like.

As indicated above, the containers can be of any desired size, width or length. Containers intended for household use can be made of a relatively small size, while containers intended for commercial and industrial use can be readily constructed of a size 3 feet in length or even larger. This permits the use of the invention with much larger scrub brushes, sponge mops, wax spreaders, paint applicators and the like than can be used in conjunction with conventional utility pails and containers.

Referring to the drawing, these is shown a container 30 having a central wall or partition 31 dividing the same into two compartments 32 and 33. One of the compartments 32 is adapted to contain a wash or other liquid, as described above, the level of which is indicated at 34. In the other compartment 33 there is provided a sieve or grate-like foraminate platform 36 which is mounted on the free ends of a generally U-shaped handle member 38 so as to slide up and down within the compartment 33 as the handle 38 is raised or lowered. Appropriate guides 39 are provided on the walls of the container 30 for guiding the depending legs of the handle 38. Affixed to the intermediate partition 31 and extending over the com partment 33 and platform 36, there is provided a stationary squeegee 40 having a pair of projecting fingers 41. By placing a sponge mop or like applicator beneath the projecting fingers 41 of the squeegee 40* and raising the handle 38 and thereby the platform 36, the sponge mop or applicator is squeezed to remove liquid contained therein. By lowering the platform 36, the sponge mop or applicator may be dipped and rinsed in liquid contained within compartment 33 by vigorously pressing the same against the submerged platform.

For enabling the user to raise the handle 38 and platform 36, while standing in an erect position, and by utilizing the users foot, a foot actuable lever mechanism is provided. This mechanism includes a generally U- shaped foot lever 42 pivotally mounted on a pivot rod 43 on the container 30. The foot lever 42 engages a depending bracket arm 44 mounted at each side of the handle 38, by means of a pin and slot mechanism indicated generally at 45. A spring 46 is affixed at each end of the foot lever 42 between the lever and the container so as to retract the foot lever and lower the platform 36 when foot pressure is removed from the lever 42. In order to keep the platform off of and spaced from the bottom of the container, stops 47 forming a part of the bracket arms 44 may be provided on the handle 38 which engage the guides 39.

When using the utility container herein described and illustrated, the user stands erect and uses foot pressure, multiplied through the lever mechanism 42, to raise the foraminate platform and squeeze the applicator between the foraminate platform and the extending fingers 41, and thereby wring the rinse liquid or other liquid material out of the applicator. Alternatively, the user may step on the foot lever to hold the platform in the raised position and then manually press the applicator against the raised platform to squeeze liquid from the sponge-like head of the applicator. It will be appreciated that additional compartments can be provided as a part of the utility container for containing liquids, tools, etc Also if desired, appropriate non-skid materials (not shown) can be affixed to the base of the container to prevent its sliding around while it is being used on a waxed or po1- ished floor surface, or casters or skids can be provided to facilitate movement.

Weclaim as our invention:

1. A utility container for use with a sponge-like applicator, comprising a container having walls defining a liquid-containing compartment, a foraminate platform, means mounting said platform for vertical movement in said compartment from a position below the liquid level to a position above the liquid level, means for raising and lowering said movable platform, and stationary means extending from one of said Walls over said platform, whereby when said platform is immersed in said liquid an applicator can be placed in the liquid and pressed against 4 said submerged platform to flush said applicator with said liquid, and said applicator can be squeezed between said stationary means and said platform by actuating said raising means to raise said platform and thereby squeeze liquid from said applicator.

2. A utility container as defined in claim 1 wherein said platform mounting means comprises a generally inverted U-shaped handle extending upwardly from the platform and guide means mounted on said container and slidably engaging said handle.

3. A utility container as defined in claim 2 wherein said means for raising and lowering said movable platform comprises a generally U-shaped foot lever, and means pivotally mounting said lever on the container, means operatively coupling said foot lever to said handle so that pressure by the users foot on said foot lever raises said handle and the platform carried thereby.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 4/1938 Vaughn .15260 3/1954 Wisner 15-260 US. Cl. X.R. 15261 

